The standout feature of the ANBERNIC RG Rotate is its mechanical slider structure and uniquely designed hinge. Sliding the screen results in a smooth resistance and a satisfying 'plump' 180-degree rotation, revealing the controls from the bottom. The build quality of this gimmick is very high, making it addictive to open and close even when unnecessary.
The body comes in two types: a 'metal model' that offers a sense of weight and premium texture with aluminum alloy, and a lightweight 'ABS resin model' that is easy to handle. The metal model weighs about 204g (body) while being pocket-sized, strongly satisfying ownership desire.
The display uses a 3.5-inch IPS fully laminated LCD. It features a bizarre specification of a complete square (aspect ratio 1:1) with a resolution of 720×720 pixels, but the color reproduction is very vivid. However, there is a slight bias in color representation, with green tones being emphasized in some displays. Additionally, the speaker is mounted on the back, and when placed directly on a desk, it tends to muffle the sound.
The control layout is smart, focusing on a D-pad and ABXY buttons, along with start and select buttons, without an analog stick. As the body has been slimmed down, the buttons have a short stroke with a clicky feel. The back features interchangeable high and low shoulder buttons (L2/R2), allowing for customization based on preference.
Specifications List
OS: Android 12
SoC: Unisoc Tiger T618 (64bit 8-core / 2*A75@2.0GHz + 6*A55@2.0GHz)
GPU: Mali G52 @850MHz
Memory / Storage: 3GB LPDDR4X / 32GB eMCP
External Storage: MicroSD card compatible (expandable up to 2TB)
Display: 3.5-inch IPS fully laminated LCD (resolution 720×720, refresh rate 60Hz)
Wireless Features: Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0
Battery: 2000mAh (duration: approximately 5 hours)
Body Size: 8.0 × 8.0 × 2.16 cm
Weight: Aurora Silver (metal model): 0.204 kg / Polar Black (ABS resin model): 0.167 kg
Others: 6-axis gyro sensor, vibration motor, USB-C DAC support (3.5mm plug conversion)
- ＋ Unique rotation and sliding mechanism: The smooth and sharp opening and closing action has high build quality, and the transformation from a portable player to a gaming device is full of romance.
- ＋ Functional Android 12 even when closed: It functions as a square display Android device when unlocked while closed, allowing for music playback and browsing.
- ＋ High-quality metal body: The aluminum alloy model has a beautifully machined finish and a pleasant weight, providing exceptional luxury as a gadget.
- ＋ Practical power of Unisoc T618: With 3GB of memory, it has sufficient emulation performance for retro games up to PS1, N64, and Dreamcast.
- − Compromise on operability and ergonomics: The button area has a recessed groove structure, making it prone to interference with the outer frame when fingers are laid flat, and the stroke is extremely shallow, making it unsuitable for fighting games or intense action games.
- − Lack of audio jack: Despite promoting a music player (DAP) style of use, there is no 3.5mm headphone jack on the device, necessitating a USB-C conversion DAC for wired connections.
- − System instability with screen rotation: There are occasional software optimization issues, such as the screen being stuck in landscape mode during orientation switching or when opening and closing, affecting the lock and clock display behavior.
- Within the community, many gadget enthusiasts are thrilled, stating that 'a long-awaited exciting Chinese gaming device has arrived' due to its quirky and nostalgic form factor. The unique built-in music player app that resembles a cassette tape rotating has also received high praise for matching the device's concept. On the other hand, users who prioritize practicality express dissatisfaction with comments like 'due to the lack of an analog stick, some games like N64 rely on the system's virtual joystick (mapped to the D-pad)' and 'inputting commands in fighting games is very difficult.' It can be said that this device should be evaluated as 'a luxury gadget to carry the gimmick and romance in your pocket' rather than 'a tool for comfortably playing games.'
| Platform | Rating |
|---|---|
Family Computer / NES
|
Playable |
Game Boy
|
Playable |
Super Famicom / SNES
|
Playable |
PC Engine
|
Playable |
Mega Drive / Sega Genesis
|
Playable |
Game Gear
|
Playable |
Game Boy Advance
|
Playable |
PlayStation
|
Playable |
Nintendo 64
|
Playable |
PlayStation Portable
|
Playable |
Dreamcast
|
Playable |
Nintendo DS
|
Playable |
Sega Saturn
|
Runs |
Nintendo GameCube
|
Not Playable |
Wii
|
Not Playable |
Nintendo 3DS
|
Not Playable |
PlayStation 2
|
Not Playable |
